Number Puzzles and Codes
Contained in this list are a number of resources to support problem solving.
"Schools should:
increase the emphasis on problem solving across the mathematics curriculum"
Recommendation from OFSTED report 'Mathematics:Made to Measure' (May 2012)
Resources include:
Number puzzles
Logic puzzles
Code breaking
Cryptography Resources
A series of Crypotgraphy resources on the CIMT site
Number Puzzles 1
A collection of number puzzles ideal for a starter activity. Ideal for Key Stage Two.
Number Puzzles 2
A second collection of number puzzles ideal for a starter activity. Ideal for Key Stage Two.
Logic
A unit of work which starts with logic puzzles leading to two-way tables, sets, Venn diagrams and set notation.
Contains useful ideas for use with Key Stages Three and Four.
SMILE Cards 1-719
Card 0241 A Secret Code
Simple alphabet code.
Card 0242 Cracking the Code
A shifted alphabet code.
Card 0689 Random Code
An algebraic code.
SMILE Activity List: Cards 0001-2403
Many of the code breaking activities are taken from the large collection of SMILE activity cards. SMILE cards cover a wide variety of mathematical topics and are a great source of inspiration for teachers.
This resource is a list of all the card titles available in these collections.
As there are over two thousand cards, the best way to search for a topic is to open the pdf file, then search for the required topic. Make a note of the number of the card(s) and open the relevant file from the collections above.
ISBNs
Computer codes with check digits are widely used in the retail and banking sector. This activity focuses on one long-established code – the International Standard Book Number (ISBN).
This set of Cre8ate maths activities requires students to think about place value, divisibility and remainders. It also requires logical thinking. Suitable for Key Stages Three or Four.
Safety in Numbers
A 14 minute video in which Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy explores the codes which are all around us in everyday life.